Marin Readers' Forum for Jan. 18

David Brown and the IJ should be commended on his Jan. 10 Marin Voice article. It does an excellent job of fully describing the degree of misfeasance being perpetrated by Matthew Hymel, our county administrator, and our county supervisors in the matter of negotiations for county employee pensions.

In the past citizens were led to believe that the pension benefits of current employees are sacrosanct and could not be altered. Not only have the administrator and supervisors failed to aggressively take every step to reduce the unfunded liability as permitted under the Public Employee Pension Reform Act, but they have done their best to hide the opportunities from the taxpayers in their reports and recommendations.

As Mr. Brown pointed out, the supervisors don't understand their responsibilities of first representing the interests of citizens and, secondarily, those of county employees. Mr. Hymel seems to have a definite conflict of interest in maintaining his benefits and not imposing 50/50 cost sharing on all employees, including current ones.

It is imperative that the IJ keeps this disastrous situation in front of its readers until the next elections by a drumbeat of editorials and investigative reporting articles. Only via an outrage of public opinion can we hope to vote these misguided supervisors out of office and get the negligent administrator fired.

Keep up the good work, IJ.

Charles Herbert, San Rafael

Making schools safer

A month has passed since the Connecticut school disaster. Our attention shouldn't wane when considering our children's safety. Newtown is a peaceful, residential area similar to the North Bay. Such a horrific crime there was unimaginable.

Gun control debate has too many conflicting views to expect imminent change. Arming school faculty or civilian guards in large school districts isn't feasible financially or tactically. The troubled individuals who carry out heinous assaults, many with a suicidal end game, present combat situations that only highly trained personnel can counter.

In addition, schools can improve some areas quickly without large expenditure or controversy. The perimeter fencing surrounding many schools is inadequate and can be easily breached. California claims this has been addressed in building new schools. An immediate retrofit of older schools should be a priority. Schools elsewhere have locked gates, admitting students at appointed times. Monitoring security cameras can help.

Ms. Rony mentions a partnership between law enforcement and schools. I have noted communities that have police units present when opening/closing. At Newtown, massive casualties were inflicted before 911 response arrived.

Controversy, resignation and complacency guarantee another attack. Responsible citizens can retain their Second Amendment rights and keep our schools secure. We owe it to the children.

Charles Viebrock, Novato

Irate over press room

I am irate that the county supervisors arbitrarily decided to take away the existing press room and relegate Nels Johnson, and whoever else might want to report from the Civic Center, to a tiny room. It is an insult to the press, to the people and to the integrity of the building itself.

In my opinion, it is also an effort to limit press coverage at the Civic Center. In particular, it is an effort to limit information for a Board of Supervisors who continue to play hide the ball from taxpayers.